North Korean troops against Ukraine: Budanov warns of danger

In the near future, the number of North Korean citizens in Russia will significantly increase. However, they will join the Russian army as «volunteers» rather than fighting as separate military units, as seen previously in the Kursk region.

Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov said this in an interview with the YouTube channel Na Linii Vohnia («On the Line of Fire»).

«Right now, unfortunately, we expect a significant rise in the number of North Korean citizens on the territory of the Russian Federation. Of those, some will sign contracts. But it will no longer appear as though North Korea has sent troops — rather, that North Korean citizens have voluntarily joined the Russian Armed Forces, ” the intelligence chief says.

Budanov made a striking claim that these will be genuinely «real volunteers.» It can be assumed that men from North Korea, given the extremely low standard of living and widespread malnutrition in the country, will be glad to send home even meager earnings.

According to Budanov, the size of the North Korean contingent is around 12,000 troops. «It is maintained at roughly the same level, ” he added.

China’s involvement in the war

«At the professional level, information about lists of Chinese citizens who have taken part — and continue to take part — here was shared and exchanged. All of these (Chinese — Ed.) citizens are still continuing [to fight], ” the Defence Intelligence chief says.

He emphasized that the main reason for the participation of North Korean troops and Chinese mercenaries is to gain combat experience for their respective countries.

«They need combat experience — that’s clear. The same goes for North Korea, by the way. That was one of the main reasons: the lack of real combat experience. Now they’re all getting it, ” Budanov concluded.